Tottenham Hotspur has sacked its manager, Andre Villas-Boas, after two Premiership losses in three weeks and despite spending more than 100 million pounds during the summer.
Spurs lost 0-5 to Liverpool in front of their own fans on Sunday, having been thrashed 6-0 by Manchester City the previous month.
On Monday, the club issued a statement announcing the Portuguese coach’s departure “by mutual consent”.
However, the former Porto coach lasted longer at White Hart Lane than he did in his previous job at Chelsea, where he was sacked just eight months into his first season.
Villas-Boas joined Spurs in July 2012.
The club brought in a host of new players including Roberto Soldado for 26 million pounds, Erik Lamela, Christian Eriksen and Paulinho, with the proceeds of the record beating sale of Gareth Bale to Real Madrid.
But a return of 15 goals in 16 matches has left the fans frustrated, while piecemeal defending contributed to the heavy defeats at the hands of Manchester City and Liverpool.
Although they are going strong in the Europa League and Capital One Cup, they are seventh in the league, eight points behind local rivals and leaders, Arsenal.
Following Sunday’s defeat, Villas-Boas was questioned about the players he is working with and said: “We had worked hard to build a strong team and we are happy with the signings.
“The players we have are top quality and we have to work hard to bond them together.
“We have been extremely unfortunate with injuries.”
Pressed on his future, he said: “It’s not my call.
“I can’t control that.
“I have to get down to work.
“That’s the only thing I can focus on.
“The call on that decision is not mine.
“I won’t resign and I’m not a quitter.
“The only thing I can do is work hard with the players and try and get the results back on track.”
Instead, Villas-Boas was not given the chance and becomes the fifth Premier League manager to lose his job this season after Paolo Di Canio (Sunderland), Ian Holloway (Crystal Palace), Martin Jol (Fulham) and Steve Clarke (West Bromwich Albion).
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